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Lou Diamond Phillips
22 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (22)
- #001
Lou Diamond Phillips was named by his father after Master Gunnery Sergeant Leland "Lou" Diamond, USMC, a highly decorated Marine who enlisted in 1917 at age 27 and served in both world wars. "Lou" Diamond is regarded as one of the finest Marines of all time and was known as "Mr. Leatherneck."
- #002
Lou's father, Gerald Amon Upchurch, was an American from Georgia of English and Scots-Irish descent. Lou's mother, Lucita Umayam Araña, was Filipina, from Candelaria.
- #003
Lou Diamond Phillips contributed Native American vocals to the soundtrack of Young Guns II (1990), Jon Bon Jovi's solo album.
- #004
Lou Diamond Phillips attended and graduated from Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
- #005
The surname Phillips came from Lou Diamond Phillips's stepfather.
- #006
In his youth, Lou Diamond Phillips worked at Whataburger, where he became a shift leader during his time there.
- #007
The role of Ritchie Valens in La Bamba (1987) went to the then-25-year-old unknown Lou Diamond Phillips, who gained 15 pounds to have a chubbier face and, after winning the part, learned to sing and play guitar. During filming, Lou married his own "Donna," Julie Cypher, who was a production assistant on La Bamba (1987).
- #008
Lou Diamond Phillips has three daughters with his second wife, Kelly Phillips: twins Grace and Isabella (born October 5, 1997) and Lili Jordan (born September 26, 1999).
- #009
Lou Diamond Phillips and his wife Yvonne Boismier Phillips became the parents of a daughter named Indigo Sanara on October 9, 2007.
- #010
Lou Diamond Phillips plays with the band The Pipefitters.
- #011
Lou Diamond Phillips began his stage acting at Stage West in Fort Worth, Texas. He enjoys doing theater.
- #012
Lou Diamond Phillips met his wife Yvonne Boismier Phillips while shooting a Radio Shack commercial in Vancouver, British Columbia.
- #013
Lou Diamond Phillips enjoys playing poker and has hosted games for friends and others at his Los Angeles home for about twenty years.
- #014
Lou Diamond Phillips's mentor was actor/director Adam Roarke. They lived in Arlington, Texas, and Phillips helped run Roarke's Film Actors Lab. Phillips also graduated from it.
- #015
Lou Diamond Phillips earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama from the University of Texas at Arlington.
- #016
Lou Diamond Phillips was named an "Honorary Latino" by Remezcla, a website aimed at Latino millennials.
- #017
Lou Diamond Phillips was once engaged to actress and poker player Jennifer Tilly.
- #018
Lou Diamond Phillips turned down his role in Supernova (2000) several times before finally accepting it.
- #019
Lou Diamond Phillips auditioned for the role of Richard Lestrange in The Blue Lagoon (1980), which went to Christopher Atkins.
- #020
Lou Diamond Phillips is good friends with Kiefer Sutherland, Bill Allen, Miguel Ferrer and the late Brandon Lee.
- #021
Lou Diamond Phillips endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris's candidacy for her presidential campaign.
- #022
Lou Diamond Phillips attended the same university as Ray Corasani, Jonny Cruz and Kim Matula.
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